People KA-BAR Welcomes The Gunny Back Home Industry News April 29, 2016 Join the Conversation At RECOIL, we review every product fairly and without bias. Making a purchase through one of our links may earn us a small commission, and helps support independent gun reviews. Learn More This week is the 118th birthday of KA-BAR Knives, which don't (or certainly shouldn't) require any introduction here. As part of their celebration, the Olean, NY based has announced they're welcoming R. Lee Ermey home. In a remarkably example of succinct marketing copy they've explained it to us. “The Gunny carried a KA-BAR around the globe during his time in the US Marine Corps. His return to KA-BAR is an apt homecoming in time for KA-BAR’s 118th birthday, which is celebrated April 29.” Here’s a video about it. KA-BAR Welcomes The Gunny Back Home Originally founded in 1800, here’s a run-down of KA-BAR’s history. 1800 The U.S. cutlery industry begins in New England when a group of cutlers from England's Sheffield Cutlery Industry ban together. April 29, 1897 In the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, a group of 38 men form a Limited Partnership, known as Tidioute Cutlery Company, to manufacture and sell cutlery. The formation is now widely considered to be the beginnings of KA-BAR Knives, Inc. 1898 First sales of cutlery marks the beginning of KA-BAR as it is today 1902 Mr. Wallace R. Brown purchases the assets of the Tidioute Cutlery Company, and applies to the Governor of Pennsylvania to form a corporation, the Union Razor Company (later changed to Union Cutlery Company in 1909), for the purpose of manufacturing and selling cutlery. December 1911 A new Union Cutlery Company is registered in Olean, New York, creating two Union Cutlery Company incorporations: the original in Tidioute, Pennsylvania and the new one in Olean, New York. Once the Olean facility is operating successfully, the Tidioute, Pennsylvania plant is closed down. 1920's During this period, trademarks like OLCUT, KEENWELL, and KA-BAR are adopted and embellished on the knives. c 1942 Soon after the start of World War II, the Union Cutlery Company submits a KA-BAR branded knife to the U.S. Marine Corps for issue to fighting personnel. 1942 The Marine Corps accepts a reworked design of the submitted knife and begins using it as their standard issue fighting/utility knife. 1952 Due to the role of the KA-BAR branded USMC knife in the War, the directors of the company decide to change the corporate name to KA-BAR Cutlery, Inc. 1960's KA-BAR is sold by the Brown family and subsequently goes through a series of ownership changes ultimately being sold in 1966 to Cole National Corporation in Cleveland, Ohio. May 1996 The KA-BAR product line and assets are sold to Alcas Corporation of Olean, New York. 1998 KA-BAR celebrates its 100th year in the knife-making business. 2003 KA-BAR moves to its current location, 200 Homer Street, Olean, NY. 2010 KA-BAR names co-Presidents, John F. Stitt – President, Sales & Marketing and Kimberly L. Johnson – President, Administration and Finance 2014 KA-BAR acquires Ek Commando Knife Company 2015 KA-BAR begins production of KA-BAR/Ek branded knives If you would like to visit KA-BAR online, click right here. If you would like to learm more about R. Lee Ermey, you can click right here. Explore RECOILweb:Magpul Core Ranch GlovesSilencers Are Legal 2012 Video RecapHeavy Hitters Dish on their Home-Defense Gun ChoicesA Girl and Her (Spear) Gun NEXT STEP: Download Your Free Target Pack from RECOILFor years, RECOIL magazine has treated its readers to a full-size (sometimes full color!) shooting target tucked into each big issue. Now we've compiled over 50 of our most popular targets into this one digital PDF download. From handgun drills to AR-15 practice, these 50+ targets have you covered. Print off as many as you like (ammo not included). Get your pack of 50 Print-at-Home targets when you subscribe to the RECOIL email newsletter. We'll send you weekly updates on guns, gear, industry news, and special offers from leading manufacturers - your guide to the firearms lifestyle.You want this. Trust Us.